The Central Methodist University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce its 2021 Hairston Hall of Fame Class. This year's class includes nine individuals and two teams. The inductions will take place on Saturday, Jan. 8.  

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Inman Student & Community Center. Tickets, which will include a full brunch buffet, are $25.00 and can be purchased here. Inductees will also be recognized in between the women's and men's basketball games later that afternoon.  

The Hairston Hall of Fame was established in 1983 through a gift from William L. Hairston, a 1933 graduate of Central College (now Central Methodist University). The Hall of Fame honors the outstanding accomplishments of CMU athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams and recognizes significant contributions to the University's athletics programs. 

This year's Hall of Fame Inductees includes Amy Dority ('97), Daniela Georgieva ('04), Eric Trelz ('80), James Hazlett ('83), Aubrey Utley ('14), Michele Rupard ('15), Melvin Tillman ('14), Francis "Gene" Reardon, Jill Pratte, the 1982-83 Men's Basketball Team and the 2014-15 Softball Team.  

Amy Dority was a standout player in the women's basketball program from 1993-97. She was a four-year varsity student-athlete that led the Eagles to their first Heart Regular Season Conference Championship, Heart Tournament Championship, NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Tournament appearance, and first-ever win at nationals. Dority was selected as the Conference Player of the Year and an NAIA Second Team All-American during the 1996-97 season. She left as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,748 points.  

Daniela Georgieva was a star athlete for the women's track and field program in the early 2000's. Georgieva set numerous school records during her time with the Eagles including the 100, 200, and 400m dash along with indoor records in 55, 200, and 400m dash. Her career culminated with a NAIA National title in the outdoor 400m dash. She finished her career as a five-time NAIA All-American. Daniela also represented her country at the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney.  

Eric Trelz was a star wide receiver for the Eagles' Football program in the late 70's. He was recognized as a three-time All-American during his time with CMU and was twice honored as the team's Most Outstanding wide receiver. He and his fellow teammate, quarterback Tom Stine, set the NAIA record for the longest touchdown pass at 99 yards against Culver-Stockton College on Nov. 5, 1977, in Fayette. Trelz finished the 1977 season with 41 receptions for 897 total yards and three touchdowns, averaging 112 yards receiving/game inside one of the best passing games in the nation. For his outstanding accomplishments during the 1977 season, Trelz was given the title of "Little All-America" by the Associated Press, which included all non-NCAA Division I football programs throughout the country.  

James Hazlett, A 1983 graduate of Central Methodist, was a two-sport athlete for the Eagles in both football and baseball. On the diamond, Hazlett was an all-conference selection as both a pitcher and first baseman in 1982 and 1983. He was also an All-District and All-Region honoree as a pitcher and was nominated for All-America honors in 1983. He threw two no-hitters during his time on the bump. On the gridiron, Hazlett was a two-year letterwinner and earned all-conference honors as a wide receiver. Upon graduation, he would go on to sign a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, where he played for the next two seasons.  

Aubrey Utley was one of the most decorated players to come out of the CMU Softball program. The 2014 graduate was a four-time NAIA All-American, Heart All-Conference selection and Conference Pitcher of the Year. She led the Eagles to four-straight conference championships and three consecutive appearances in the national tournament. Central was nationally ranked in each of the four years Utley was part of the program and she left the program record holder in multiple categories highlighted by career wins (94), strikeouts (559), complete games (98), and shut outs (43).  

Michele Rupard, a 2015 graduate of Central Methodist, served as Central softball's starting catcher for four seasons. During her time with the Eagles, Rupard was a three-time NAIA All-American, and a four-time Heart All-Conference performer. She was tabbed as the Heart Freshman of the Year in 2012 and the Player of the Year in 2014. Rupard was also a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, finishing her career with a .991 fielding percentage as a catcher. She concluded her time with the Eagles ranked in the top 10 in numerous career categories including 3rd in batting average (.390), 2nd in runs scored (149), 2nd in career doubles (49) and seventh in RBI (113). She is also the program record holder in single-season in both on base percentage (.546 in 2014) and walks (45 in 2015). Rupard was a part of four-straight regular-season conference championship teams and three conference tournament titles.  

Francis "Gene" Reardon has served as Associate Head Softball Coach for 16 years at Central Methodist. The program has become nationally successful upon Gene's arrival, as he has served an integral part in the recruitment and development of numerous all-conference and all-Americans. In his 16 seasons on staff, Gene has recruited over 400 players to Central Methodist. Gene was recognized as the 2015 and 2019 Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association and has been a part of six NFCA Regional Coaching staff of the Year teams. During Reardon's time with the Eagles, Central has won seven regular season Heart Championships, five conference tournament titles, and have made eight national tournaments including two trips to the NAIA World Series in 2012 and 2015.  

Melvin Tillman was a three-year captain on the men's basketball team at Central Methodist from 2011-2014. In only three seasons as an Eagle, Tillman tallied 1429 career points to finish No. 12 all-time in program history in career scoring. He was a two-time all-American including second-team recognition his senior year. In addition, Tillman was honored as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2014. He closed his career scoring 30 plus points in five of his final six games including a 40-point performance against MidAmerica Nazarene.  

Jill Pratte served for 20 years as the Clinical Education Coordinator as well as an Associate Professor in the Athletic Training Education program at Central. She was a recipient of the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award along with being honored as Professor of Athletic Training Emerita. She was the primary athletic trainer for the soccer, men's basketball and baseball program during her time at CMU. She was selected as the 2012 Athletic Trainer of the Year by the NAIA-Athletic Trainers Association. After her time at CMU, Pratte now serves as teacher in the Sports Science Rehabilitation department at Logan University in St. Louis.  

1982-83 Men's Basketball Team - The 1982-83 Men's basketball program led by Hall of Fame Coach Ken Ash, finished the year with a 26-7 overall record and a 13-1 mark in conference play. The Eagles claimed the Heart Conference Championship, the second of three conference titles Central would win in a four-year span.  
Team members include Coach Ken Ash, Assistant Coach Duane Widhalm. Players - Clay Chiles, Mike Davis, Mark Dempsey, Randy Durk, David Fox, Paul Hinton, Vince Ketterer, Scott Knoche, Barry Krause, Troy Kreiling, Stacy Maxwell, Gary McClure, Ron Mills, Glenn Moore, Rob Mudd, Kelly Reed, Rex Rutter, Jeff Sherman, Fred Smith, Steve Strick, Dick Tharp, Danny Widhalm, Darrell Widhalm, Kenny Wyatt, and Jim Young.  

2014-15 Softball Team - The 2014-15 softball team won the program's fifth-straight Heart regular season championship with an overall record of 45-10 and a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play. The Eagles also qualified for the NAIA National Tournament and appeared in the NAIA World Series, becoming only the third team in program history to do so. 
Team members include Coach Pat Reardon, Assistant Coaches Gene Reardon, Lyndsey Talbot, Neil Hanson, Jackie Cappuccilli, Ross Dowell, Steve Sebiert. Athletic Trainer – Alanna Dennison. Players - Lindie Adair, Nicole Beck, Hannah Blackmon, Bri Boatwright, Annie Crouch, Erin Enke, Kylee Foster, Alyson Fuemmeler, Lauren Geringer, Nikki Giovenco, Jocelyn Glaze, Haley Kinnison, Alyssa Lilly, Lori Lindsey, Ashley Litton, Mercedes Marriott, Shelby Roark, Abby Ruessler, Michele Rupard, Brenna Russ, Meagan Thompson, Madi Watson, Jessica Wilmes.